Month: December 2010

Mirella Amato from Beerology recently interviewed Darren Smith from Lake of Bays Brewing Company and our very own Ed Koren, about Porters and the rewards and challenges of brewing these dark ales. You can check out her podcast at the Ontario Craft Brewers Blog.

I’ve been doing a little more research into Copland/Copelands brewery and I’ve come across a request from a William Copeland “praying for the payment of a beer account amounting to 60:19:0” in the Toronto Archives. The paper dates from August 20th, 1838, which might be one of the earliest mentions of a brewer in Toronto, if it turns out he is a brewer at all! A trip to the City of Toronto Archives in the new year might yield new light on our understanding of the history of the brewing industry in Toronto.

With the snow flying, it’s certainly beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at the Village! In the brewery, Ed has been busy concocting his Winter Warmer. Ed describes it as a rich complex beer brewed in response to the cold weather. Brewed with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice and orange peel, this beer was brewed especially for the holidays and is perfect for a festive gathering or to sip in front of a roaring fireplace! At 6% alcohol it’s sure to warm you up from the inside out! This brew is only available at Black Creek Pioneer Village (not in the LCBO), and will be ready for sale beginning this Friday, December 10th. Drop by the Village and pick up a growler while soaking in the ambiance of a Victorian Christmas! Better yet, come for our Christmas by Lamplight program and sample our wares!